Installation of new Bishop of Birmingham

The Right Revd Michael Volland, will be installed and officially welcomed as 10^th Bishop of Birmingham at a special service at Birmingham Cathedral on St Chad’s Day, Saturday 2 March. The service will be attended by civic guests, Church of England bishops, representatives of the Church or England Birmingham and ecumenical leaders. The service marks the beginning of Bishop Michael’s public ministry with the Church of England Birmingham.

During Bishop Michael’s consecration, which took place at Canterbury Cathedral on St Andrew’s Day, Thursday 30 November 2023, Bishop Michael was presented with his episcopal ring and pectoral cross. The edges of the cross are engraved with the Biblical texts, ‘Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’ (Nehemiah 8:10) and ‘I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep’ (John 10:14-15). Bishop Michael’s pastoral crozier is inscribed with the words, ‘I am among you as one who serves’ (Luke 22:27).

Of the welcome service, the Dean of Birmingham, the Very Revd Matt Thompson, said, ‘The installation service celebrates the start of an exciting new season for Bishop Michael personally, for communities across The Church of England Birmingham and for our Cathedral community.  As the seat of the Bishop, we look forward to supporting and praying for Bishop Michael as he starts his ministry in Birmingham. We would encourage all who can to join us online for this special occasion and for our community to continue to pray for Bishop Michael and his family over the next few months.’

Please note that the Installation Service is an invitation-only event. Those arriving without tickets will not be admitted. The service will, however, be livestreamed on the Birmingham Cathedral website from 3.30pm (Link HERE). Read a resume of Bishop Michael’s life and ministry HERE.